Furman Elite Annouces Partnership with ASICS America
Furman Elite Annouces Partnership with ASICS America
Official Release from Furman Elite (@FurmanXC)
Greenville, S.C. (August 3, 2015) - The Greenville, South Carolina-based post-collegiate training group Furman Elite announced today a partnership with ASICS America, true sport performance brand. ASICS America will provide footwear and apparel support for all eligible Furman Elite athletes starting immediately through the 2016 Olympic year. Current Furman Elite athletes with individual sponsorships will remain with their respective brands.
“My goal for Furman Elite has always been to equip athletes with the resources necessary to pursue our sport at the Olympic and World Championship level,” said Furman Elite Head Coach, Robert Gary. “Our agreement with ASICS enhances the areas where there had been a void in our support; the resources we now have in place are competitive with any professional group in the country. Our club has proven, in just three years of existence, we can compete at the highest level of our sport and we look forward to growing our presence in the coming Olympic year.”
Furman Elite’s roster currently includes nine athletes who specialize in the steeplechase, 1500 meters and 5000 meters. All American members of Furman Elite have qualified for the 2015 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2016 USATF Olympic Trials.
Athlete highlights of the 2015 season include:
Heidi See* - Australian National Champion in the women’s 1500 meters
Stephanie Garcia* - USATF women’s steeplechase silver medalist
Wilkerson Given - 2016 Olympic Trials marathon qualifier
Cory Leslie - Team USA Pan-American Team Member (Steeplechase)
Jeff See - Team USA NACAC Team Member (5,000 meters)
*Both See and Garcia, will represent Australia and the United States, respectively, at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
The mission of Furman Elite is to provide coaching and support to elite athletes seeking the achievement of IAAF World Championship and Olympic standards, and national team representation. To that end, Furman Elite provides all members with free room and board, coaching, a monthly stipend, physiotherapy, domestic and international travel and extended altitude training camps.
“ASICS America is stoked to partner with Furman Elite. This allows us to broaden and deepen the ASICS elite running roster in the 1500-5K niche,” said Tony Herr, ASICS America sports marketing and athlete manager. “Furman Elite aligns perfectly for what we were seeking with its team structure, facility and full range of services that are important to helping athletes be successful as we compete for World Championship and Olympic team spots.”
PR Contacts:
Robert Gary, Furman Elite head coach – robert.gary@furman.edu
Melinda Hutcheon, ASICS America - melinda.hutcheon@asics.com
About Furman Elite:
A 501c3, Furman Elite was founded in 2012 under the direction to two-time Olympian, Robert Gary. Through the support of private donors, Furman Elite sponsors qualifying athletes with free room and board, physiotherapy, coaching, equipment, domestic and international travel, and long-term altitude training all from its home base in Greenville, SC and as a representative of Furman University. For more information, visit www.runfurman.com.
About ASICS America:
Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com.